Typewriting machine



Dec. 1, 1931. A. G. KUPETZ TYPEWRITING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed March 15, 1928 l NV EN TO R 2,

w-COUIO mQLMmD Dec. 1, 1931. A. G. KUPETZ TYPEWRITING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORZ Filed March 15 1928 ATT Patented Dec. 1, 1931 f-YUNITED sums PATENT OFFICE ADOLPiI G. KUIETZ, OF NEW Y onx, N; Y., AssIeNon'ro unnnnwoon EL IOT ,iirsnnn 7 COMPANY, or NEW,YORK, 1\T. Y., A CORPORATION 01 DELAWARE;

m swmmm MACHINE ramount arch- 15,1928. Serial 110,261,751. J V

This invention relates generally totype+ writing machines, an'dfmore particularly to means for counting the number of items,

suchffor example, as the credits and debits typed on a series of statement-sheets orthe like.

' To make a count items appearing on customer statementof the number of debit Sheets each month, the wunting mechanism is sometimes used only-for a f d m each month. r

i It is an objectof the present inventionto provide, in a typewriting machine, an improved item-counting mechanism operatively connected to the carriages, which connection can be easily and quickly released, and

the mechanismlocrced in ineffective condition untll needed again Heretofore, item-counting devices operated by movement of a, typewriter-Carriage i could" not be quickly and conveniently ad usted for use with statement-sheets'of varymg widths. It is a'further object of'the presentinvention to provide an tenrcountmg mechanism which can be adyustedquickiy and easily for use with different widths of work-sheets.

In the embodiment of men illustrated in the d-rawing's, a remster is fastened on the side of the main me of an Underwood combined typewriting' a computing ina-chine, and'me'chanism operausing my invention for counti 'ig debit items tively connected to the registeris slidably mounted on the rear side of'the main frame,

to be effectively engaged upon return of the carriage by a column-stop adjustably nmiuted on'the usual lateral rack-barof the tabulating mechanism oftli.e, macliiiie. In

on a series of statement-sheets,the stop is iuaiuially'set inrelation to the debitfcolunin over a tooth on the sl tor-operating mechams zoneof the platen, so that upon line-spacing the debit column of each statement-sheet past the printing point the column-stop is moved lably-mounted regisin, the latter being affected idly by the :stop it moves leftwardly past the tooth. Upon return'of the carriage to the right, as usual, for typing another item in the deb t column or, for ,re-'

the" present inventer-operating-mechanism to theright a distaiicegsufficient to run one unit'into the regis- 'ter. At that point the slidably-mounted l iechanism' automatically disengag'fes"(itself:

from the stop and is returned by a spring to normal position. 'lo render the item-counting mechanism ineffective when not needed, it includes a tooth, and means are provided forswinging the linkage down to move the tooth out ofthe path of the stop. A releasable lock isarrangedfo'r automatically locking the linkage in its ineffective position. The present in-' in the provision of means for yieldingly brac ing a joint of the tooth-carrying linkage, whereby the latter maybe slidlatera'lly as one stilt member for register-operating purposes, yet being swingable downwardly at movingthe statement-sheet, the stop opera-1; tivelyengages the tooth andslides the regislinkage which carriesthe stop-engaging the connection between the links to remove.

, the tooth from the path of the'sto'p.

Another feature resides in mounting the tooth-carrying, register-operating linkage on the rear of the main frame'adj acent the usual rack-bar of the tabulating mechanism, so that a usual, manually adjustable stop onthe rackbari'n'ay serve for engaging the 'tooth'ofthe item-counting mechanism; 1 I

' Other features and advantages will here.- inafter appear.

In the accompanying'drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary,'front elevationa1 view of an Underwood combined typewrit ing and computing machine having myinvention applied thereto.

is shown in position in the machine for having debit items counted asthey are typed on the statement-sheet.

- Figure 2 is a fragmentary, front view of the item-counting mechanism showing it at the end of its operative movement to the right, as it is being released to be returned to normal position.

yFigure 1s a fragmentary, front view of A statement-sheet which appear on statement sheets.

the item-counting mechanism illustrating how it is moved idly as the carriage is letter-spaced to the left upon typing an item.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, front view of certain parts of the item-counting mechanism illustrating how it is disposed in ineffective position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of an Underwood combined typewritin g and computing machine having the itemcounting mechanism of my invention applied thereto.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, side view of the structure shown in F igure 5.

Figure 7 is a view illustrating how certain parts of the item-counting mechanism may be applied to the typewriting machine shown in Figure 5, without interference with the tabulating mechanism of the machine. I

The present invention is illustrated as applied to an Underwood combined typewriting and computing machine, in which types 10 strike against a platen 11 mounted on a shaft 12 j'ournaled in a platen-frame 13 which is mounted on a carriage 14. movable laterally on a front rail, not shown, and a rear carrjiage rail 15. The carriage rails may be fastened rigidly on a main frame generally designated as 16. Upon striking any one of a plurality of keys 17 the type 10 associated with the operated key is swung against the platen 11 by interponents, not shown, and the carriage 14 is letter-spaced one step to the left by visual letter-spacing mechanism, not

shown. I, F or quickly moving the carriage leftwardly to bring a desired portion of a statement sheet 20 to the printing field, the machine may have a tabulating mechanism including a rack-bar21 fastened on the car--. riage 14 to" be movable therewith, columnstops 22 adjustably secured on the rack-bar, and astop rod 23 movable into the path of the column-stops 22 by instrumentalities not shown. The construction efvthe columnstop 2 2 may be substantially like the column-stop disclosed in Patent No. 1,649,329 to O. Thiem'e, dated November 15, 1927, and may be made from the last-named stop by cutting a short portion off its forward end. The other parts described hereinbefore may be like those in an Underwood typing and computing machine.-

In some business oiiices, it is required to count certain items, such as debits and credits. All of the statement sheets 20 of a series are usually the same width and all debit columns 24. or credit columns 25 thereon can be brought successively to the same position on the platen of a typewriter by laterally gaging the statement sheets to usual side-edge gage 26 on a rear paper-table 27.

In carrying out the present invention, mechanism is provided which is made e'fiec tive for counting a debit item, for example,

each haying a rectangular cross-section, theloi'ig side of which is disposed in a vertical plane. The inner or inreaching. ends of the link members are pivotally fastened together or hinged by a horizontal screw 36.

In operative position (Figure 1) the inner portions of the links 34 and 35 are horizontally disposed, and their outer end portions are inclined downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and then extend horizontally except as noted hereinafter. Each link has a cam slot 37 in its outer end portion.

The right-hand portion of each slot is normally horizontal and the left-hand portion, which is considerably shorter than the righthand portion, is inclined upwardly at an angle that will permit the left-hand slot portion.

of the link 34 to be centrally disposed in the downwardly inclined end portion of the link, the inclined portions of each slot being parallel. Each slot engages about a shoulder screw 38 threaded in 'a usual integral standard 39 disposed at the sides of the main frame 16 for supporting the carriage rail 15. A tensile spring 40', which has one end fastened to a pin 41 in the main frame 16 and the other end to a pin 42 in a depending car 43 on the link 34 adjacent its outer end, is effective to normally hold the actuator 33 in its normal position wherein the right-hand ends of the slots 37 are disposed against the screws 38.

To hold the inner, pivotally-connected ends of the links 34 and 35 in normal horizontal position against the action of gravity, and against the turning force of the spring 40, a depending integral car 44 is provided on each of the links 34 and adjacent the pivotscrew 36, the ears being positioned on op posite sides of the screw. To each car 44 is fastened the end of the tensile spring 45 having a small amount of initial tension. Also, depending integral lugs 46 and 47 are provided on the inner ends of the links 34 i and 35 respectively. The lug 46 is disposed on the opposite side of the screw 36 from the main body port-ion of the link 34, and the lug 47 is disposed in like manner on the opposite side of the screw from the link 35. The lugs 46 and 47 are positioned between the cars 44 and are bent forwardly and rearwardly respectively to engage closely against the lower edges of the links 35 and 34 i'espect-iy ely. Each lug engages under the link which carthis movement of the links since the slotted end portion 500i the link 35 is'swung upward 7 about the left-hand screw 38 and idly afl'ects in thedeb'it'column24thecarriage will be returned to the rightas usual, preparatory riesthe other lug between the pivot-screw 36 and the main body portion-of the link "(Figures'2 and 3), therebypreventing upward movement of the pivotally connected, 1n-

reaching ends of the links 34 and 35.- The above-described organization" including the spring 45, ears 44 and lugs 46and l7'serves to stiffen or-brace-the pivotal connection of the links 34' and 35 whereby they may be 'movedendwise or downward ason'e piece,

without angularmovemcnt, relative to each other about the pivotal connecting screw 36. Moreover, the inner ends of thelinks may be swung downward for a purpose to presently appear.

" The link 35 has an enlarged outerend eluding a triangular-shaped depending por-.

tion 50 in which is cut a vertically disposed H I slot 51whic'h has'a' lower open end and-ennthenormal ages about the pin 32 in the crank-arm 30. sition of the register 28, which may be 0 the usual ratchettype, the arm is lnclinedto the left (Figure 1-), and

too erate the re ister it is only? necessary to -s ide' theactuator-33 to the right. According to the present invention, instrumentalities for" doingthis may include an up-' 'reaching'integral tooth 52 on the inner or righthand of the link-35. ,The' left-hand edge 53 of the tooth is vertical and the righthand edge 54 slopes downwardly to the right.

A counting or actuating stop which may he constructed like the stop'shown in the above-mentioned patent 'to' Thieme, has a forward end portion 56 which extends across the plane of the tooth 52. The stop is adjustably mounted on the rack-bar 21. Then when the carriage 14; is line-spaced leftwardly in bringing thedebit column 24 into the printingfield, the forward. end of a depending flange element 57 of the stop 55 comes against the right-hand sloping edge ofthe tooth 52 and presses it and the inner ends of the links 34 and down, the spring yielding and permitting easy depression of the links. The register 28 is n'otafiected by the pin 32 and arm 30. After the stop moves pastthe tooth 52 the latter swingsup to normal position without affecting the reglster; VVhenthe proper debit has been typed to typing another debitg and the platen may on the statement sheet, the carriage: will'be stantiallyi in line left-hand edge 53-of thetooth 52 and moves the actuator 33, including the link 35, rightward with 'it' adistance sufficient-Ito swing the pin 32 in the slot 51c1ockwisean amount that will cause one unit to ibe'rruninto the register. \Vhen thelinkshave nearly'moved thedistance required to operate the" register,

the'finclined:portions of the'slots 37 will have reached 1 the 1 screws 38 and thereafter the co-active cam action of the slots and screws will causethe linksf34 and 35 to beginvto be I moved downwardly. -A?short additional lateral movement of the actuator will disengage the tooth 52 from the stop 55 (Figure 2) and the spring 40'lwill'then be eifectivevto return the actuator to starting position; t

' It can readilybe seen that-a typed item on a statement-sheet or the likecanbe counted by the above-described organization, of :parts without appreciably increasing the-force necessary to return the; carriage and without noticeably alfectinglthe lightness of touch.=of

the keys; 2 1 v u Since a combined typewriting and comput ing machine is usedLfor: variouszkinds of work, it is desirable,at-times, todisable or'releasetheitem-coimting mechanism of the present invention and secure it in its released condition until needed again; ;,Toth1s end,

means are provided in the present Invention for swinging thelink 35 down to bringthe tooth '52 out of the path of the stop 55 and torlatchingthe tooth in ineffective position. A depending link =61-is pivotally 1 fastened by a screw 62 tothelink 35 ata point intermediate the left hand shoulder screw 38and the screw 36. The" lower end'ot the link is constructed with. aizlengthwise slot 63 for a purpose to presently appears oThis slotted lower end engageslooselyabout a shoulder screw 64 whose threadedend extends forwardly to' engage in'atapped hole in a laterallyextending tab 65onthe rear end of an arm 66 of a bell-crank67, which is pivoted about a stud68 in abracket,arm 70 fastened to the left side of the main frame 16, a-downwardlyextendingopenslot 71in the bellcrank being arranged to'engage about the stud. The arm:66 have abend72 and a bond 73 to space-thetab 65 -far enough away from the screw 38to permit easy operation of the disabled means. The "bellcrank 67 has an upwardly. extending arm: 74 to which. is integrally ejoinedt'a, forward-' reaching extension which is. bentleft-"J wardl'mig't'm and forlwardly at=77. .-Theileftd "bend is made to liring ian extreme 'ard 'end p'ortio '1 ('Szfofthe; arm 74 subh the center of ausual leftehanid frontq ot theimainwfris-116.3" Tovthe end portion 78, is pivotally. fastened alink 80 :ofrectarrgul'ar oross sect'ion; whiclre (LXtGHdSZQfOIIWaIdIy through holes 81 in usualin-reaching flange portions 82 0f: the post elementi'79 and ter-li.

minutes a short distance forwardly from the Latter in a cylindrical portion 83 which is constructed to slide with aloose fit in the holes 81. A push-button 84 may be fastened on the forward end of the link 80. It can readily be seen by an inspection of Figures 4, 5 and 6 that a light push rearwardly on the button 84 will be effective to swing the link 35 downwardly about the left-hand shoulder screw 38, and will move the tooth 52 downwardly out of the path of the stop 55. The extent of the downward movement of the tooth is limited by a screw 85 in the bracket 70 striking against the rear end of an elongated slot 86 cut in the arm 74 above the pivot stud 68.

It is desirable to have means for automatically locking the tooth 52 in its ineffective position when moved thereto by operation of thepush-button 84. To this end, a notch 88- is provided in the lower edge of the link 80. A

gral ear 91 is bent forward to lie against the outer face of the post 79 and a screw 92 passes through a hole in the ear and is threaded into the post. A locking bolt or trigger 93 is pivotally fastened by a shoulder screw 94 to the plate 89 below the link 80. A small rectangular piece is cut out of the upper end portion of the bolt 93 on the right-hand side thereof (viewed from the front), thus leaving an upwardly extending finger element 95 on the left side for a purpose to presently appear. The upper portion of the bolt 93 is nor mally pressed lightly against the link 80 by v a leaf spring 96 mounted on a rearwardly-extending integral car 97 of the mounting plate 89, the spring pressing lightly against the lower end of the bolt. Only a short section of the right edge of the upper end portion of the bolt 93 engages against the lower edge portion of the link 80, and consequently when the link is pushed a suflicient distance to the rear the notch 88 moves opposite to the bolt 93 and permits the spring 96 to swing the upper end of the bolt to the right through the notch. The finger 95 is effective to limit the rightward movement of the bolt by the spring and co-operates with the latter to hold the trigger in effective position. The upper end of the trigger 93 may be swung out of locking engagement with the link 80 by pressing rightwardly on a finger piece 98 which is integrally joined to the lower end of the bolt and extends therefrom to the left a short distance past the left face of the post 7 9 and has a knurled tab 99 bent forwardly to be conveniently pressed by a finger of the operator.

It will be noted that provision of the slot 63 and the link 61 (Figure 2) permits the tooth 52 to be pressed down out of the way of the stop 55 without moving the push-button 84 at the front of the carriage. Itwill be seen on inspection of Figure 7 that, while the links 34 and 35 are spaced from the rear face a register can be advantageously usedwith any form of register, making it possible to employ a variety of standard re isters.

It can be readily seen by thoses killed in the art that the present invention which is dis closed as'applied to an Underwood combined typewriting and computing machine can be easily applied by a skilled mechanic to'typewriting machines of other makes which have stationary main frames and laterally movable carriages. I

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements maybe used without others.

Having 'thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, a laterally movable carriage havinga platen, around which may be fed a succession of like statement-sheets, means for laterally guiding columns on said statementsheets around the same portion of said platen, and a lateral rack-bar on said carriage, of means for counting the items typed on said statement-sheets in said columns, including a register fastened on a side of said main frame, a stop on said rack-bar,

mechanism including links slidably mounted on the rear of said main frame and operatively connected to said register and positioned to be operatively engaged by said stop, upon return of said stop to the right subsequently to the typing of an item, whereby to operate said register and count said item, means for moving said mechanism to ineffective position, so that itwill not be engaged by said stop, and a releasable lock forlocking said mechanism in said ineffective 'position when said mechanism is not being used.

2-. In a typewriting machine having a platen around which may be fed a succession of statement-sheets and a side-edge gage for positioning said statement-sheets; laterally, the combinationwith a main frame on said machine, a laterally-movable carriage supporting said platen, and a rack-bar on said,

tionofsaid links, said tooth having a sloping right-hand side and a substantially vertical left-hand side, means for yieldingly bracing said pivotal connection of said linksfto hold said tooth normally in the path of said stop, whereby said stop may press said tooth down and move said linkage idly upon movement of the carriage to the left, said bracing also being effective to hold said linkage up against gravity in operative position, so that when said stop engages the left side of said tooth upon movement oflthe carriage to the right the linkage is moved as a stiff member with'the carriage to operate said register, means for automatically disengaging said tooth from said stop when said linkage has been moved laterally a distance suflicient to operate sald reglster, and means for bringing said linkage back tonormal starting position. I

3. In a typewriting machine,in combina- 7 tion, a main frame, a carriage, a register mounted on said frame, a linkage operatively connected to said register, said linkage including two laterally-disposed links pivotally fastened to each other intermediate the sides of said frame, each ofsaid links having a lengthwise cam-slot therein adjacent its outer end, screws in said frame for engaging through each of said cam-slots, a releasable operative connection between saidcarriage and said linkage adjacent the'pivotal connection of said links, and yielding means for bracing saidpivotal connection which is effective for holding said linkage normally rigid, whereby said linkage may be. moved laterally with said carriage as a stiifmemher for operating said register, said screws and said cam-slots cooperating :upon' lateral movement of the stiffened linkageto move linka e immediatel the latter away from said carriage, so as to release the connection between it and said after the operation of said register.

4. The structure described in claim3charaeterized by saidbracing means having a tensile spring, each end of which is fastened to each link on opposite sides of said connection and below the latter, and a lug on each link onopposite sides of said connection, the lug on each link being bent for engaging closely under the other link. i V

5. In a typewriting machine, a yieldingly braced pivotal connection for two links of a linkage for normally holding said linkage as one stiff member, said connection including a pivot-pin fastening the ends of said links together, a tensile spring having one end fastended to anear on each link at opposite sides of said pin, and a lug on one link bent for engaging closely against the edge of the other link on the same side of said pin as said substantially horizontalalignment while said tooth is'engaged by said carriage, whereby said linkage may be slid for operating said register,means effective for automatically Y disengaging said tooth from said carriage upon operation of said register, and means for returning said linkage to normal starting position after it is disengaged from said carriage. a r 7. 'The structure described in claim 6, characterized by means for holdin themembers of said linkage in horizontal alignment while it is being'returned to normal starting position. 1

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame and a carriage having a lateral rack-bar disposed in the rear of said frame, of a registermounted on said frame-at one side thereof, a laterally-disposed linkage slidably mounted on the rear side of said main frame and operativelycon- J nected to said register, a stop mounted on said rack-bar and extending forwardly, whereby the path of its forward end portion will lie in theplane of said linkage, a tooth said tooth out of the path of said stop, so

that said carriage may be returned without affecting said register.

9. The structure descrlbed in claim 8, characterized by manually-operable means for moving said linkage instrumentalities to a position, whereby said tooth is removed from the path of said stop, and automatically op erating'means for latching said manuallyoperable means in operated position.

ADOLPH G. KUPETZ. 

